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4.34
/5
2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
17 Comments
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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 10/17/2016
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Do you think a DELICIOUS, quick, budget-friendly meal is impossible? Well, it’s not! This one dish Italian chicken and rice bake is here to save the day.
About this easy casserole
- One Pan: This recipe only makes one pan dirty. Everything cooks together in the casserole dish – win!
- Budget Friendly: We chose ingredients that are easy on your budget, something we all need these days!
- Easy: Simply put all the ingredients (no need to cook the chicken first!) in a casserole dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake. It will take a couple of hours but it’s all hands off time, except for one stir in the middle of the baking time.
Ingredient Notes
Chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for two reasons. The first reason is because they are more budget-friendly. Secondly, this dish has to cook for quite awhile to make the rice tender. The chicken thighs don’t dry up like chicken breasts might.
Diced Tomatoes: Try diced Tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano to keep the ingredient list nice and short — all the flavor you need is in the tomatoes. You can also use regular canned tomatoes and add dried basil and oregano, with a bit garlic powder, to taste.
More One Pan Wonders
This casserole is similar in some ways to my healthy stuffed pepper casserole but it is a little easier to make. Another really easy one pan skillet dinner with rice is thisOne Pan Sausage and Rice with Sweet Peppers.
Like the convenience of canned tomatoes?
Canned tomatoes are a treasure in your pantry. In most cooked recipes, like this Italian chicken and rice bake, you won’t be able to tell the difference between canned and fresh. Here’s a few more recipes using convenient and tasty canned tomatoes:
- 10 soups and stews made with canned tomatoes (a collection of some my favorites and includes a little tour of the Red Gold farm and processing facility)
- Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets (only 4 ingredients and yep, one of the ingredients is canned tomatoes)
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Tomatoes, Ricotta, and Balsamic (did you know you can roast canned tomatoes?)
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Recipe
Get the Recipe: One Dish Italian Chicken and Rice Bake
4.34 from 6 votesPrep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
4 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Do you think a DELICIOUS, quick, budget-friendly meal is impossible? Well, it’s not! This one dish Italian chicken and rice bake is here to save the day.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup uncooked extra long grain brown rice
- 2 cans (14.5oz each) Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano (see note)
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- fresh parsley for garnish, if desired
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350° F.
In a 9×13 baking dish, mix together onion, bell pepper, rice, and Red Gold tomatoes. Stir to combine. Add chicken thighs, pushing them down into the tomato mixture.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for one hour and 15 minutes.
Uncover, stir, cover tightly again and bake for 30-50 more minutes or until rice is tender.
Uncover, add cheese, and bake for 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve immediately.
Notes
- Green bell peppers are typically the most budget-friendly option, but feel free to use your favorite color.
- You may also use white rice — this will likely decrease cooking time since it cooks faster than brown rice. Try to avoid short grain brown rice or you’ll find that the rice takes even longer to cook.
- If you are using plain canned tomatoes, add a 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 455kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 50g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 230mg, Sodium: 588mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Author: Rachel Gurk
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Reader Interactions
Leave a Review
Angie M says
I am making this for dinner tonight. I didn’t have chicken thighs so I diced up chicken breast instead. We will see how it is but it sounds really good and tomatoes are in most of my favorite meals. I love one pot easy meals!
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Rachel Gurk says
I hope you loved it!
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Frances Lisso says
This is one recipe I will be making very soon. And I like the thought of putting it all in the crock pot.
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Rachel Gurk says
Hope you love it!
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Taira says
Have you tried making it in the crockpot instead? I would think all day on low it would turn out the same and you wouldnt need to stir in the middle of the bake time.
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Rachel Gurk says
I have not tried it but I bet it would be fantastic! It might end up with slightly more liquid though.
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I hear ya on the busy that kids bring! I’m always looking for easy one dish meals that I can have on the table in no time at all. My kids would devour this!
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Rachel Gurk says
Yes! Crazy busy!
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Erin@WellPlated says
I need to take a breather just reading your schedule! As per usual, you amaze me :)
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leslie says
Love one dish meals…less cleanup and the Red Gold company….LOVE
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Taylor Kiser says
Congratulations on your new home! This is a comfort food dinner for the win!
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Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Taylor!
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Barbara Schieving says
What a great program. I’m going to look for Red Gold Tomatoes next time I’m at the store.
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Rachel Gurk says
Isn’t it awesome? Thanks Barbara!
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Sues says
I always feel so busy and like I’m go, go, go nonstop, so I often wonder what my life will be like when I have kids. Will I get even busier (how is that possible?!) and think I’m crazy for thinking I was busy now?? Or will I just have to re-prioritize?? Probably a combo of both! In any event, I’m always up for quick dinners and this one looks delicious!!
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denise says
sounds good, almost a poor man’s cacciatore
denise
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One dish meals are my favorite…AND this is one my kids would love!
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